29 November, 2023

Newly elected Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) Board Members can now undertake the mandatory Governance Training as required by the ALRA Div.3 S65(2).

What is Governance Training for Board Members?

The Governance Training has been designed to be a flexible training delivery offering customisable training for each LALC, both online and in group training environments.

This training program will consist of two (2) elements: Part A – Self-paced training and Part B – customised face-to-face, group training. Board Members will be required to complete Parts A and B (tailored to the LALC’s need) to be deemed as “completed” and satisfy S.65(2) of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (ALRA). The training must be completed in a six-month timeframe.

Please discuss with your LALC’s Zone Officer to determine the dates you can take the training.

The information below provides information on each training module.

Part A

Online self-paced training program

Board Members will be enrolled on a browser-driven online training program titled “Tribal Habits”. A QR code is at the end of this Network Message for access to the program.Your Zone Officers will help you by enrolling, monitoring your progress, and assisting you in progressing through the Modules at your own pace. They will talk you through the process of setting up your training. You will not be able to proceed with the online training until your Zone Officer has enrolled you.

All Board Members must be issued with an email address so they can enrol in the online course. Board Members will use their email address as their username and be given the option to create their password on setup.

Board Members will not be able to use the email address of any of the LALC staff. Once completed, Board Members will be able to access the training content whenever they require while holding the office in the LALC.

Access
Board Members are able to use their mobile phone to complete the training, however, we recommend that you find a computer or tablet/iPad to ensure a better learning experience.

You will need to work through each module first, and then will be able to access any module at any time after your first run-through.

Downloadable files
The online course provides Board Members access to downloadable documents and templates. These items will be updated regularly to ensure currency of information. Included in the online course is a Glossary of terms and definitions.

Journal
The Capacity Development team recommends that you use the Journal component of the online course. You can make notes and ask questions or comments for future use or the face-to-face training itself. Your Zone Officer can monitor your Journal, and please be aware that it is not private and confidential.

Accessibility Concerns
For those Board Members who are not conifdent with using online self-paced training, contact your Zone Officer and discuss other available options.

Part B

Face-to-face or group-based training
Zone Officers will facilitate the face-to-face group training sessions. Your LALC and Board Members will be able to discuss with the Zone Officer how they can best tailor the course to meet the needs of each LALC. It will not be a one-size-fits-all all training.

Each Board Member will be provided with a Governance Training Resource Book once published and a copy of the ALRA and ALRR Handbook with the current legislation.

Content and Modules

The Governance Training content has been divided into (7) modules and includes all the key principles and knowledge required by Board Members of a LALC to meet Div 3 S65(2)

They include:

Module 1 Overview

• Why do we need training?
• The Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW)
• LALC Framework
• Separation of Powers

Module 2 – What is governance, and what does “Good Governance” look like?

• Why do we need Board Governance?           
• What does LALC Board governance mean?
• Who is responsible for “Good governance”?
• The difference between governing and managing
• The relationship between the Board and the CEO
• “Good Governance” arrangements for supporting the CEO

Module 3 – Legislation Structure

• Legislation Structure
• Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW)(ALRA)
• Aboriginal Land Rights Regulation (ALRR) 2020
• LALC Model Rules
• LALC Model Code of Conduct
• Navigating the Legislation
• NSW Aboriginal Affairs
• The Minister for NSW Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty
• Office of the Registrar Aboriginal Land Rights Act
• New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC)
• Local Aboriginal Land Councils (LALCs)
• Membership

Module 4 LALC Board Members’ Roles and Responsibilities

• Board Elections
• Functions of the LALC Board
• Roles and responsibilities 
• Roles of the Board Members
• Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson’s responsibilities
• Meetings
• Financial responsibilities and governance
• Decision making
• Delegation
• Policies
• Understanding the Power of Policies
• Risk management
• Compliance Reporting and Performance Monitoring

Module 5 -Managing Conflict of interest, Misconduct, Disclosure, and Disciplinary matters

• Complaints
• Misconduct
• Managing Conflicts of Interest
• Legislative Bodies
• Bullying and Harassment in the workplace
• Lateral Violence
• Leadership and Mentoring

Module 6 – Planning, Funding, Agreements and Reporting

• CLBP – Strategic thinking and management
• Funding Agreement
• Risk Assessment
• Self-reporting and Assessment process
• Support Plan
• Growth Plan
• Financial Reports
• Budget
• Housing
• CBS(RA)

Module 7 – Taking Care of Individuals

• Employment and Workplace Management
• Staying Safe in the Workplace
• Strategies for good governance and compliance

A module titled Let’s Wrap Up.

Further Information

If your LALC requires any further information on LALC Board Governance Training, please get in touch with your Zone Office or The Capacity Development team at  trainingalc@alc.org.au